The nights begin sooner now. The world grows dark as we trudge or bound home from our jobs, from our schools.

The nights are colder now. The humidity and heat of Texas drifts into mere memory.

I come home to make dinner, to read, to bake a loaf of bread or a pan of brownies. Ryan and I like to talk in our kitchen as we throw together a macaroni and cheese casserole, as I boil yet another pot of edamame beans.

I come home to collect my thoughts, to form my stories, to play with words. I come home to be with the person that I love.

And on Sunday night, after walking through South Congress, I came home to friends and this apple & cranberry tart. We sat around our living room, taking bites of caramelized apples and plump cranberries. We talked about the pains and the joys of being alive in this present day.

Sofie brought Blue Bell Ice Cream, which is hands down the best ice cream to serve with any type of pie. The perfectly round scoops melted on top of each slice, and we let the melted cream coat the cool silver of our forks and spoons.

I don't know if food can fix many problems. But I do know that an apple tart can make one fall evening pretty magical.

Pies are hands-down my favorite dessert. To me, there is nothing better than a buttery pastry and a perfectly sweetened fruit filling. But pies are not always the prettiest things to photograph, and since I blog, I consider this...often.

However, tarts and galettes are quite different. They are the elegant and beautiful sister of pie. They are poised and ready for every shot.

I'll admit that this was the primary reason I made a galette over a pie. But after tasting the filling, I was happy that I only had to contend with one layer of butter pastry. The apples and the cranberries were so flavorful that anything more would have diluted my pleasure.

This would be a perfect addition to your holiday dessert menu. Does anything seem more like fall or winter than apples and cranberries? The apples are a cooked in honey, orange juice and sugar until softened. The cranberries are then allowed to stew until a sweet and thick sauce develops. Pouring the fruit into the middle of your rolled out pastry is a pleasure of its own.

I made this pie earlier in the day, and we didn't serve it until later in the evening. After sitting on our counter for several hours, it tasted like any pie or galette should...just heavenly.

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and a line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare your filling: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, honey, orange juice and cinnamon. Heat, stirring often, until sugar has dissolved. Add apples and simmer until softened and opaque, about 5-7 minutes. Remove apples from pan with a slotted spoon, reserving juices in pan.

3. Add cranberries to pan and simmer until they begin to pop and the liquid thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

4. Combine apples and cranberries in a medium bowl, stir until berries are evenly distributed.

5. On a lightly floured, roll out your refrigerated pie dough to a 12 inch circle. Transfer your circle to your prepared baking sheet and spoon filling in the center, leaving a 1-2 inch border. Fold the border over the filling, pleating the edges to form a broad rim. Lay the thin slices of butter over the fruit and dust the crust with raw sugar.

6. Bake in preheated oven until pastry is a light golden brown and the fruit has softened, about 30-40 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

Always,MonetAnecdotes and Apple Cores

**I have entered this galette into a lovely Thanksgiving contest hosted by All Through the Year Ch

There really is nothing more comforting than a warm slice of pie (or galette!) with half-melted vanilla ice cream oozing over the top. It really does scream fall -- especially a pie like this with cranberries and apples. I imagine it would actually be nice for Thanksgiving too! I've never been much of a pumpkin pie girl. Would much rather have the gooey, sweet fruit filling in there instead. :)

Those apples and cranberries are so beautiful in that galette. We are lucky enough to be able to get Blue Bell ice cream over here in AZ and I agree. It is by far one of the best ice creams I have bought.

Your photos always look beautiful. Hopefully one day we'll be able to meet in person enjoy a cup of tea and pie or galette or some other treat. I sometimes think of how funny it is that we bloggers have made so many far away friends. Hope you are well, Monet.

You're not wrong, Monet. That is one photogenic galette! Love the bright pop of color against the rustic crust. And I bet it's even prettier with a scoop of Blue Bell melting on top! If you get a chance, can you figure out how to ship me some of that at your convenience? It's one of those Texas things that makes a NY girl pine for home.

Mmmmmm that looks so good. And I SO agree with you, Blue Bell ice cream is the BEST! I swear I ate way too much of that ice cream when I lived in Florida. Would you mind if I ate all the filling out of the galette? :)

that Galette is a beauty, cramberries and apple go so well together and I am sure your buttery crust just made it a delight to devour!! I'm glad you have Ryan and good friends to share your time with..It is truly a blessing.CheersDennis

This is absolutely gorgeous, Monet. Galettes are among my all-time favorite desserts. In fact, I just made an apple one last week that I'm dying to share. Thank you for sharing this, and I'm glad to hear that the heat and humidity of Texas are taking a backseat to some normal fall/winter weather! :)

You are making me want to go through a galette in the oven right now! I get so excited when I see the fresh cranberries come to the market! For us it's the signal, fall is here! Glad you had loved ones around you to share it with!-Gina-

Oh that looks delicious (and simple...especially if I cheat and use a store bought pastry dough)! I saw fresh cranberries at the store for the first time the other day and am SO eager to buy some and use them. :)

This is SO pretty...I'm in charge of an alternate Thanksgiving dessert. ILs are bringing a pumpkin pie, but I want to have an alternative that's NOT pumpkin. This could be perfect...apples are my husband's favorite!

Aren't these cooler temps nice? I'm in San Antonio, and I'm so excited about the cool Sunday in the forecast. Making SOUP!! Happy Friday!!

This would definitely be the perfect dessert to go with a Thanksgiving dinner or any dinner or anytime come to think of it. It sounds wonderful. I love your writing. You really have a way with words that brings the reader right into your very warm and loving home:)

Perfection. I have a bag of cranberries that are also waiting to be a part of a crostada.. I can't wait to make it! and if it looks anything like yours then its going to be wonderful But tonight its croissant preparation and wedding cakes :)

i have never had a galette *blushing* but I certainly want to now that I've seen you and Chef D make one. Food may not solve any problems, but it brings us together, and gives our hearts and hands a chance to wrap around another's soul...there is an intimacy that is shared in that setting that simply cannot be duplicated.

p.s. there is ONE place here that carries Blue Bell Ice Cream, it's made in Texas, isn't it....DELIGHTFUL!!!!!!

You make this look gorgeous! I think food has more power than we give it credit for. It connects people, and the time we spend with people solves problems, even if they seem like temporary fixes. This does look like the perfect dessert to share this holiday season...thank you!

Monet, this galette looks delectable. i was just recently introduced to galletes through denise's blog over at quickies on the dinnertable. i tried out her recipe and am now in love with galettes. yours sounds so good with apples and cranberries. what a perfect combo. i love how the colour of the cranberries bring the dish to life. yummers on this dish!

Food may not be able to actually FIX problems but it can certainly give you a better outlook on life. This galette sounds like the perfect ending to an ever-darkening evening. The tartness waking you up and the sweetness soothing you.

Monet, you have such a way with words ... I felt like I was sitting there with all of you, talking about life and food and being together :) I know you said that pies are hard to photograph, bit I bet you could do it! Even if galettes are comparable showoffs to the camera ;) I think when we appreciate food and learn to savor its taste and appearance, food can be healing when shared with family and friends. Beautiful recipe, Monet!

I must make this Monet! Thanksgiving dessert is usually the one dish I say people can bring when they offer, but I may have to change that now. I completely agree with you about the elegance of the galette. — Allison

You're right--there's nothing more wonderful than a seasonal dessert during the fall and winter. Apples and cranberries remind me of Christmas Eve at my parents' house :)

Isn't it funny how the attractiveness of a dish can influence what we bake/cook as bloggers? I consider the same thing when we're planning our menu for the week, and I don't think it's such a bad thing. It pushes us to be more creative in the kitchen, right?! Unfortunately, these early-darkening evenings are driving me crazy with the photography piece :)

I would love to have a slice of this...Looks so warm and welcoming :)I think in some ways food can solve or at least diminish problems...Whenever I look at my friends creations (like you),my day melts into a better place :)

Galettes are much prettier than pies with all that filling showing! I love this combination - just saw someone of Food Network making one and was wishing I had a slice. I hope you saved me one! Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

Oh, my, Monet-You have just solved the Thanksgiving dessert dilemna...at least 1, out of 2, or 3 that we uaually make for Thanksgiving.That cranberry apple galette is so perfect, and beautiful, the crust, and filling...it surely will be a big hit. Just bought a huge bag of cranberries at Costco.Thank you for the great idea...but mostly, thanks for sharing it with us...recipe and the gorgeous photo!

Mhm, Monet, how delicious! And I hear congrats are in order for this making the Top 9...? CONGRATS :D

Beautiful stuff. I always feel so inspired by you!

Jax x

Reply

Jessie -- The Messie Kitchen

11/15/2010 5:13am

I love this dish...you are so right- there is nothing more seasonal than plump cranberries and spicy apples. this galette reminds me of a simmering pot of cider. Oh it looks so wonderful! and (good) food, to me, can certainly do wonders for any day. Add a handful of friends a la mode and you've got yourself quite the night.

That looks delicious. I really have to try a Galette. They are very rustic looking and maybe this non-pie fan could actually make it successfully. I really have a tough time rolling out the dough in a perfect circle or rectangle.

Monet, Love just love this apple cranberry galette and I usually don;t make galette although a friend of mine is crazed about it. I can almost taste the apple with the cranberries and the dough. Beautiful job!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Comforting as always, your baking is simple and charming and your words sweet and honest. I made muffins this week - for the first time ever- I am not a baker, but I looked at several of your recipes for guidance and tips. Thank you for keeping up the positive tone and sweet treats. XO

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